Verse of the day — 2 Corinthians 1:12

For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

2 Corinthians 1:12(NASB)
Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks

Self-Occupation Or Christ-Occupation

I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. (Revelation 3:19 GWT)

There is the big question which is always confronting us as to why is it that some leap into the light and go on, and others do not, but always lag behind, and never seem to see any more? Is it that there is a selectiveness on the part of God, a kind of elect of the elect that He has, is it that He has favorites? I do not think so. I think a great part of the answer lies here, namely, in what God finds He has to deal with, whether people mean business with Him or not, whether He has a clear way or not, whether the ground is occupied or not already by that which is an obstruction to Him. I do not think anybody will fail to get all the light the Lord wants them to have if they really do mean business with God. The Holy Spirit knows us. He looks right deep down into our hearts and knows whether we mean business. He sees exactly what there is to hinder Him and how far He can go; for the Lord is not going to coerce anyone.

If we are taken up with ourselves, occupied with ourselves, circling round ourselves, centering in ourselves, then the Holy Spirit has not a chance. We have to come to an end of ourselves. That is the trouble with so many. They have got a self-complex set up, and all the time it is a continuous going round in a circle and coming back to the same point at which they started, and it is all round themselves, and they are wearing themselves out. Before long they are going to have an awful crash that involves all that for which they are supposed to stand and represent for the Lord, and it will come down with them. The Holy Spirit has not a clear way. We have to get out of the way, so far as this self-occupation is concerned, if we are going to move straight on, and to go on. He knows exactly where we are, whether we are so tied up in them that we are not open to the Lord to consider any further light at all. "We have got it all, or our people with whom we are associated have got it all, and we are a part of that!" You know what I mean. The Holy Spirit cannot do much with folk who are in a position like that; and He knows. His attitude is, "It is no use, I cannot do much there, they are too tied up." But, if we are prepared to put everything into the water, then the Lord can go on and get a clear way.

Bible verses: Revelation 3:19
Morning Daily Light by Samuel Bagster

Abide in Me, and I in you.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find … O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! § If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. § If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard.

Little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. § He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

John 15:4;  Gal. 2:20;  Rom. 7:18,  Rom. 7:24,25;  Rom 8:10;  Col. 1:23;  1 John 2:28;  1 John 2:6
Bible verses: John 15:4
Evening Daily Light by Samuel Bagster

Do you believe in the Son of God?

Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?

[He is] the brightness of [God’s] glory and the express image of His person. § The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. § “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Lord, I believe! § I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious.

John 9:35;  John 9:36;  Heb. 1:3;  1 Tim. 6:15,16;  Rev. 1:8;  John 9:38;  2 Tim. 1:12;  1 Peter 2:6,7
Bible verses: John 9:35
None but the Hungry Heart by Miles Stanford

Three-fold Cord

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18).

The Word of life, the Lord of life, and the exigencies of life all must combine to give us a ministry of life.

"There is no personal knowledge of God but as we count on Him, as we are practically conscious of depending on Him and of His caring for us. One without straits, and victories, really has no growing acquaintance with God; and where there is not this, however great the intelligence or sincerity, there is little or no savor."

"It is the trials and difficulties of the way that are the opportunities for our hearts to grow in acquaintance with Him; and it will be found, while there may be many great enjoyment in ministry, and in the unfolding of truth, that really there is not strength but in proportion as one has learned how God has been for and with one in the trials and sorrows of the way; and as one has known Him in them, so is one able to speak of Him."

"The one purpose which our Father has in view, in all His ways, is to conform us to the image of His Son. This may explain our perplexities as to the past; it will govern our behavior in the present; it is to be our guidance in the future. The chief concern of our Lord is not to instruct us about a multitude of details, not to explain to us the reason for the trials which we are called to pass through. He is working out everything to serve His supreme purpose in displaying the character of His Son in His redeemed ones."

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 4:15).

Devotional Studies by Elizabeth Haworth

The Way Up Is Down - Once Upon Eternity (6)


STUDY - Once Upon Eternity

Beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest ye also being led astray with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
2Peter 3:18

Two Truths

There are two vitally important truths to be learned in our Christian walk today:
1. The utter bankruptcy of self.
2. The total riches of Christ.

Faithful Father

God our Father is totally and utterly faithful – come what may: I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1. This truth needs to be very deeply ingrained in the awakened believer. This truth must be paramount to the one who desires to grow in grace. Through all the failures and distresses of life, God is working victory in you. “Faithful”, I hear you say… “how is God faithful in the midst of all my distresses?” Remember this: faithful are the wounds of a friend – because, a friend loveth at all times. Prov.17:17. You see, God is using your life’s circumstances on the life-path you are treading, to fulfil IN you, His perfect plans and purpose FOR you – as is best for you.

Purchase Price

You have been purchased with a price: the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is working out His perfect plan in you.. to conform you into His likeness. This is for your eternal good, though it causes intense distress in the present time. You see, there are positive and negative aspects to this sanctification process. God has decreed that all circumstances, both the positives and the negatives are used: all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom.8:28

Spiritual “Waterloo”

Sometimes the sting of pain comes early in the Christian walk. Faithful study and witness gives way to a declining

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Knowing Jesus Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth

He Is Jesus

Ultimate Topic

If you were asked to talk about anything at all… what would you choose. All I can think of to talk about is Jesus. I wonder.. have you truly considered…. Jesus? How wonderful to lift up the lovely name of Lord Jesus, our Saviour.. for He is the centre and circumference – the beginning and the end of everything. He is the Rose of Sharon and the lover of my soul. He is altogether LOVELY.

Heritage of Jesus

He is Jesus. Jesus. JESUS. the substance of the Father. Jesus, begotten before the worlds. Jesus, the substance of the mother. Jesus, born into the world. Jesus, perfect God and perfect Man. Jesus, Son of God and son of Mary. Jesus, the name above all other names.

Person of Jesus

How can we ever describe Him? My Jesus, My Saviour, My God, My King, My Lord, My Life, My Way, My End, My dearly Beloved, My Joy, My Hope, My Delight, My Peace, My Shepherd, My Provider, My Redeemer, My Rock, My Strength, My Stay, My All. My Wisdom, My Resurrection, My First Love and My Last Love, My Own precious Brother and My soon returning Bridegroom. Beloved saint, can you thus describe Him in these glorious and intimate terms? Is He the love of your life and the joy of your heart? Do you know Him, really, really, really know Him?

Names of Jesus

Jesus, “His name will be called Wonderful.”  Jesus, “His name will be called Counselour.”  Jesus, “His name will be called Mighty God.”  Jesus, “His name will be called Everlasting Father.”  Jesus, “His name will be called Prince of Peace.”  Jesus, The Anointed One – God Incarnate.  Jesus, Love, made flesh and tabernacling with man.

Supremacy of Jesus

He is altogether lovely He is the Rose of Sharon and the lover of my soul. Oh that men would praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and heaven. Oh to know Him better.  To draw closer and closer to His sweet person. To become increasingly and

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Topics: Jesus